Turning Tide by Melody Carlson

MY REVIEW:

I always enjoy books by Melody Carlson whether one of her annual Christmas novellas, a contemporary or historical, or even one of her young adult novels. This author has a talent for pulling her readers right into the story as well as the lives of her characters. Her books always contain a message of faith, sometimes subtle and other times in your face. I often wish her young adult books had been around when I was raising a teenage daughter. Turning Tide is the fourth book in Carlson’s historical The Legacy of Sunset Cove series. Rumor has it that it is also the final book of the series. I have not read all four books due to time limitations but thoroughly enjoyed the two I have had a chance to read. I hope to find time to catch up on the other two very soon.

With a setting along the Oregon coast during World War 1, the story features newspaper editor Anna, her daughter Katy, and other members of their extended family plus several close friends. Both Katy’s husband and Anna’s fiance are overseas serving in the war, leaving the women to manage things at home. Anna and Katy were very strong women who capably ran their own businesses. The narrative provides readers with a glimpse of everyday life during the war that includes hardships, joys, and sorrows experienced by the citizens of Sunset Cove.

I found this book to be of particular interest as I read it during our own enforced shelter at home for the current Covid-19 virus pandemic. The chapters that described the rumors of and the area’s experience with the Spanish Flu near the end of the war were almost frighteningly familiar yet encouraging too. I enjoyed Turning Tide and recommend it and the rest of the series to those who enjoy historical fiction or even those who just love a good book.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Book: Turning Tide

Author: Melody Carlson

Genre: Historical Fiction

Release Date: Feb 15, 2020

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As the Great War rages on, Sunset Cove continues to feel its impact. Running the small town newspaper, Anna McDowell can’t escape the grim reports from the other side of the world, but home-front challenges abound as well. Dr. Daniel is serving the wounded on the front lines. And Katy, expecting her first child, with her husband in the trenches, tries to support the war effort with her Red Cross club. Even as the war winds down the costs are high—and Sunset Cove is not spared.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women, and children. That’s a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a “storyteller.” Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, True Colors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She’s won a number of awards (including RT’s Career Achievement Award, the Rita, and the Gold medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog.

MORE FROM MELODY:

Writing about the WW1 era has definitely been a good history lesson for me. Prohibition laws in Oregon (and rum-runners breaking them) combined with a massive war that changed the world and a global epidemic is worth paying attention to. Especially since history sometimes repeats itself. The early 20th century had a lot going on—much that seems nearly forgotten. I’m glad to see the movie 1917 is doing well—and we plan to see it this week. Although I’m not a fan of gruesome war movies, this era continues to intrigue me. Even as I wrapped up my Sunset Cove series with Turning Tide I was left wondering . . . what’s next? But isn’t that the beauty of story?